Tennison Bay
Wisconsin DNR- Sites
- 188
- Electric
- 97
- Showers
- Two hot-water buildings
- Winter
- Electric camping
Best for: The most electric sites and winter camping.
Watch out: No swimming here; nearest beach is at Nicolet Bay about one mile away.
The short version
Peninsula State Park lists 468 family campsites in five campgrounds. South Nicolet Bay has 143 sites (54 electric), Tennison Bay has 188 (97 electric), and Weborg Point has 12, all electric. North Nicolet Bay (44 sites) and Welcker’s Point (81 sites) have no electrical hookups.
A dump station on Shore Road, just east of Tennison Bay, is open May through October and closed November through April. A vehicle admission sticker is required, and reservations go through wisconsin.goingtocamp.com. Maximum lengths and fees are not on the page we read.
Best for
- A big state-park base on Lake Michigan’s Door peninsula
- Travelers who need electric
- Fall and shoulder-season trips with winter-capable sites
Think twice if
- You need a dump station between November and April. Peninsula’s is closed
- You want a swim at Tennison Bay. Swimming is not allowed there
- You plan to camp in the group camps with a motorhome. Not allowed
Rig fit
- Electric: South Nicolet Bay (54), Tennison Bay (97), Weborg Point (12)
- No electric: North Nicolet Bay and Welcker’s Point
- Maximum lengths not listed; check the reservation site
Trip at a glance
| Sites | 468 family sites in five campgrounds |
|---|---|
| Electric | South Nicolet 54, Tennison Bay 97, Weborg Point 12 |
| Dump station | Shore Road, May–October only |
| Reservations | wisconsin.goingtocamp.com; 888-947-2757 |
| Admission | Vehicle admission sticker required |
Rig check
Electric is the deciding factor.
- Electric loops
- South Nicolet Bay, Tennison Bay and Weborg Point.
- No-electric loops
- North Nicolet Bay and Welcker’s Point.
- Winter
- Tennison Bay offers winter camping with electric hookups; reservations required.
- Lengths
- Not listed on the page we read.
When to go
Peninsula is open for much of the year at Tennison Bay.
| Time of year | What to expect |
|---|---|
| May–October | Dump station open. |
| November–April | Dump station closed; Tennison Bay winter electric camping. |
| Summer | Nicolet Bay beach has no lifeguard on duty. |
Where to stay with an RV
Counts are from Wisconsin DNR’s Peninsula camping page.
South Nicolet Bay
Wisconsin DNR- Sites
- 143
- Electric
- 54
- Showers
- Two hot-water buildings
Best for: Close to Nicolet Bay beach.
Watch out: No lifeguard on duty.
Weborg Point
Wisconsin DNR- Sites
- 12
- Electric
- All 12
Best for: A small, all-electric loop.
Watch out: Few sites; book early.
North Nicolet Bay and Welcker’s Point
Wisconsin DNR- North Nicolet Bay
- 44 sites, no electric
- Welcker’s Point
- 81 sites, no electric
Best for: Non-electric camping for self-contained rigs.
Watch out: No electrical hookups.
Big Bay State Park (Madeline Island)
Wisconsin DNR- Sites
- 60
- Electric
- 21 family sites; 5 winter sites (26–30) also electric
- Dump station
- Not at the park; use the one at Madeline Island Airport
- Booking
- wisconsin.goingtocamp.com; 888-947-2757
Best for: A Lake Superior add-on reached by ferry from Bayfield.
Watch out: Showers and drinking water are typically unavailable from about October 1 to Memorial Day. Ferry rates and length limits were not verified; check the ferry operator before you go.
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore has no drive-up car, tent or RV camping; use gateway communities such as Bayfield or Ashland for a base. Potawatomi State Park and private RV parks were not verified for this guide.
Itineraries that work with a rig
Plans assume one Peninsula State Park loop.
3 days: Peninsula weekend
First visit.
- Day 1. Set up in an electric loop.
- Day 2. Explore the park.
- Day 3. Dump (May–Oct.) and depart.
5 days: Add a day away
More time.
- Days 1–3. Follow the three-day plan.
- Day 4. Drive around the peninsula.
- Day 5. Pack up.
7 days: Slow week
Buffer days.
- Days 1–5. Follow the five-day plan.
- Day 6. Beach day at Nicolet Bay.
- Day 7. Buffer day.
What not to miss
Peninsula State Park
Five campgrounds and 468 family sites.
Nicolet Bay
A beach with no lifeguard on duty.
Tennison Bay
The park’s largest campground, with winter electric camping.
Getting around with a big rig
Choose electric deliberately. Only three of five campgrounds have it.
Plan the dump. It is closed November through April.
Don’t move firewood. Wisconsin restricts it.
Fuel, groceries, water and repairs
Fuel, groceries and repairs were not covered by the pages we read.
Budget snapshot
Fees were not listed on the page we read.
| Item | What we found | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Campsite | Not listed | Check the reservation site. |
| Vehicle admission | Required | Sticker price not listed. |
Fees are the amounts listed by the managing agency when this guide was checked. Use the budget worksheet to add fuel, groceries and contingency.
Common questions
Does Peninsula State Park have electric sites?
Yes: 54 at South Nicolet Bay, 97 at Tennison Bay and all 12 at Weborg Point.
Is there a dump station?
Yes, on Shore Road east of Tennison Bay, open May through October.
Can I camp in winter?
Tennison Bay offers winter camping with electric hookups; reservations are required.
Can I camp on Lake Superior?
Big Bay State Park on Madeline Island has 60 sites, 21 with electric. Campers use the dump station at Madeline Island Airport.
Can I camp in an RV at the Apostle Islands?
No. NPS says there is no drive-up car, tent or RV camping in the Apostle Islands; mainland and island campsites are reached by kayak, boat or a 6-mile hike.
Sources and what to recheck
Rules were checked October 20, 2026. Fees, closures and availability will change, so use the official pages below as the source of truth.
- Peninsula State Park camping — Campgrounds, electric sites, dump station
- Peninsula State Park — Admission sticker, site count
- Big Bay State Park camping — Sites, electric, dump station
- Apostle Islands camping — No drive-up camping; island access by water